Warriors’ Late Surge Eliminates Clippers: Previewing Their Next Play-In Battle

Stephen Curry exploded for 35 points and drilled a dagger three with under a minute remaining as the Golden State Warriors snatched a gritty 126-121 Play-In Tournament win over the Los Angeles Clippers, ending LA’s season and keeping Golden State alive in the West seeding war. It was a shocker Hawaiian-shirt style: chaos, bursts of brilliance, and a reminder that even a seasoned roster like the Warriors can still find magic when it’s Win-or-Go-Home.

The Final Farewell for the Clippers

The Clippers entered this matchup with momentum in their backcourt and questions in their frontcourt, ultimately failing to close out what they’d controlled for stretches. Despite standout performances—Bennedict Mathurin’s 23 points, Kawhi Leonard and Darius Garland adding 20-plus each—their late defensive lapses and turnovers allowed Golden State to seize the opportunity. The loss sends LA home just short of postseason glory, while they’ll now watch the playoffs from the couch.

Stephen & Co. Step Up When It Counts

Curry was everything you paid for. His 35-point night was topped by 7-of-12 shooting from deep, including that go-ahead triple with about 50 seconds left, which flipped the game. Supporting cast was no afterthought: Kristaps Porzi??is and Gui Santos each tossed in 20 points, while Al Horford sparked a critical stretch in the fourth with four threes in three minutes—his first lead since early in the second quarter came courtesy of that burst.

Key Storylines Going Into Their Next Battle

• Depth and Injuries: The Warriors have trod water without the full unit in recent weeks—Jimmy Butler III and Moses Moody are out, Draymond Green listed as questionable with back issues. Their reliance shifted heavily onto Curry and veterans like Horford.
• Clippers’ Collapse: Resting Kawhi Leonard early in crunch time didn’t help. Their starters were present, but they couldn’t survive GS’s barrage. Turns out, this game echoed their season: flashes of brilliance marred by untimely breakdowns.
• The Mental Edge: Warriors know how to save their season in the high-pressure setting. Kraken-inspired comebacks? Fourth-quarter magic? This is territory they’ve carved before. The Clippers, though loaded, rarely faced wide pressure late in games—and now it cost them.
• Shooting vs. Defense: GS surged thanks to clutch offense, especially three-point shooting—7 triples from Curry, Holt-like effort from Horford—and picking their spots. The Clippers, despite a balanced box score, failed to slow possessions when it mattered, and missed opportunities piled up.

What’s Next: Warriors vs. Suns for the Eighth Seed

With this game over, the Warriors advance to play the Phoenix Suns for the final playoff berth in the West. The winner of that matchup grabs the 8­-seed, and will face the league’s No. 1 seed—most likely the Oklahoma City Thunder. It’s a brutal reward for earning it, but Warrior veterans thrive in this zone. Expect them to lean even more heavily on Curry’s leadership, game tempo, and offense in short bursts.

Punchy Finale

The Clippers flew into this Play-In with swagger and stars, but couldn’t hang on when the lights grew bright. Golden State, battered and without depth, showed why experience matters when the stakes scream loudest. Next up: a win-or-go-home bout against Phoenix. Flip the switch again, and maybe—as the legend of the Warriors refuses to die—they’ll walk out another win.